Physico-Chemical Properties of Compost Based Waste-Recycling of Grape Fruit as Nursery Growing Medium

Abstract

The present study reports the physico-chemical properties of four compost based squeezed grape fruit wastes (SGFW) consisting of 60% SGFW + 40% chicken manure (including sawdust) (CMS) (v/v), 80% SGFW + 20% bean hay (BH) (v/v), 80% SGFW + 20% chicken manure (including wheat hay) (CMH) (v/v) and 100% SGFW. Results showed that 100% SGFW compost had a suitable pH and EC with 7.82 and 1.68 dSm −1 , respectively. Also, 80% SGFW + 20% BH compost was very rich in organic matter similar to coco peat, but 80%SGFW + 20% CMH compost had the lowest C/N ratio (5.2). The N, P and K concentrations in SGFW composts were higher than the coco peat or vermiculite. The soluble cations (Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ , K + ) and anions (

Utilization of Grape Fruit Waste-based Substrates for Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Lemon Basil

“…G rape juice industries produce large amounts of waste, which can negatively affect the environment (Kumar and Manimegalai, 2004). Composting of 'Red Roomy' grape waste for use as a partial peat substitute has been proposed; it could also reduce environmental pollution (Bayoumi et al, 2008;El-Mahrouk and Dewir, 2016). Organic waste materials and composts have been used for growing a wide range of crops including bedding annuals, perennials, vegetables, woody shrubs and trees, and foliage plants (Aguilar-Benitez et al, 2012;Grigatti et al, 2007;Hern andez-Apaolaza et al, 2005;Jahromi et al, 2012;Restrepo et al, 2013).…”

“…Several other potential uses and applications of grape waste in food industry have been reviewed (Arvanitoyannis et al, 2006). Grape waste contains a high concentration of fertilizer elements (El-Mahrouk and Dewir, 2016;Ferrer et al, 2001), which makes it suitable for composting. However, it also contains a high amount of polyphenols (Arvanitoyannis et al, 2006;El-Mahrouk and Dewir, 2016;Lazz e et al, 2009), which might inhibit the microbial growth in the plant root zone (Ben Jenana et al, 2009;Mandelbaum et al, 1988) but makes it less effective as a composting material.…”

“…Grape waste contains a high concentration of fertilizer elements (El-Mahrouk and Dewir, 2016;Ferrer et al, 2001), which makes it suitable for composting. However, it also contains a high amount of polyphenols (Arvanitoyannis et al, 2006;El-Mahrouk and Dewir, 2016;Lazz e et al, 2009), which might inhibit the microbial growth in the plant root zone (Ben Jenana et al, 2009;Mandelbaum et al, 1988) but makes it less effective as a composting material. Animal manure, especially chicken, has long been recognized as one of the most desired manures because of its high nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium content (Agbede et al, 2008;Dikinya and Mufwanzala, 2010;Schjegel, 1992;Warman, 1986).…”

“…Consequently, studies on peatmoss and coir alternatives are of great interest in agriculture as they have the potential to provide more sustainable alternatives to these resources (Chong, 2005;Herrera et al, 2008). Increasing demand and rising costs for peat have led to a search for high quality and lowcost composts derived from organic wastes such as grape wastes (Bayoumi et al, 2008;El-Mahrouk and Dewir, 2016;Inbar et al, 1986). In our previous study, we reported on the composting of squeezed grape fruit waste and its physicochemical properties (El-Mahrouk and Dewir, 2016).…”

“…Increasing demand and rising costs for peat have led to a search for high quality and lowcost composts derived from organic wastes such as grape wastes (Bayoumi et al, 2008;El-Mahrouk and Dewir, 2016;Inbar et al, 1986). In our previous study, we reported on the composting of squeezed grape fruit waste and its physicochemical properties (El-Mahrouk and Dewir, 2016). As a continuation of that research, the objective of the present study was to evaluate pure SGFW and different SGFW-based substrates as alternatives to coir and vermiculite for seed germination and seedling growth of 'Mrs.…”